University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Welcome Additional 13 Players for 2019 Season
6/27/2018 3:46:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware head coach Jim Sherman announced the addition of 13 players to the Blue Hens squad Wednesday afternoon.
The group brings the 2018 Class to 16 members, as Joseph Carpenter, Jack Dubecq and Joey Silan all signed National Letters of Intent last fall.
Delaware's fourth addition is Junior College transfer Andrew Avots. Avots joins the Blue Hens after spending a pair of seasons at Mercer County Community College and one season at Post University. In 2018, the right-hander struck out 11 batters in 8.2 innings of work.
"Andrew is another Junior College kid from Mercer. He is a quality guy out of the bullpen and should be able to help us this year," head coach Jim Sherman said. Â
A native of Toms River, Bradley Brush heads to Newark after a successful three-sport career. An outfielder and a pitcher, Brush was selected as the Mariners 2016 Pitcher of the Year. A 2017 Rawlings Preseason Underclassman All-American, the righty won a WWBA National Championship and was named to the WWBA All-Tournament team.
"Brad is a strong kid who projects as either a right-handed pitcher or an outfielder for us. We're excited to get him into the program and see where he fits. It's possible he plays the outfield and pitches for us rather than being just a pitcher or just an outfielder. It will depend on how he develops."
The Blue Hens next signee is staying local, after a standout career for former Blue Hen Brian Lesher at Newark Charter. A shortstop and right-handed pitcher, Kevin Buglio hit .468 in 2018 with six home runs, earning first team All-Conference and first team All-State honors. Recording an average of .416, Buglio was selected to the USA Today All-Delaware second team and was an All-State honorable mention.
"Kevin is a right-handed power bat who can play first base and might be a designated hitter for us. He comes from Newark Charter where he played for a familiar face. Kevin has really good power potential."
Justin Byler joins the Blue Hens after a successful career playing at Warwick high school. A 2018 team captain, Byler was named to the Perfect Game All-Region Team and was a two-time Section All-Star. Familiar with the University of Delaware, Byler is cousins with current Blue Hen Charlie Kitchen from men's lacrosse.
"Justin is a left-handed hitter who played some first base and some outfield in high school. He has a good swing and can be an impact guy at the plate for us," Sherman said.
Another local product, Trevor Collins was a four-year varsity starter for Todd Brock at Sussex Central as both a pitcher and a shortstop. A three-time team captain, Collins was selected to play in the in 2018 Blue-Gold game and participated in the 2018 Carpenter Cup.
"Trevor is from down-state and is another arm who might be able to help us out of the bullpen. We look forward to watching him develop," the coach said.
Brian Gilardi will again be teammates with Chris Ludman and Billy Sullivan IV, as the former St Mark's standout is set to join UD this fall. A standout on both the diamond and the hardwood, Gilardi was a two-time All-Conference (2016, 18) selection. His .410 average earned him second-team All-State honors this spring. Â
"Brian is a slick-fielding shortstop from St. Marks and should be a kid who profiles as a middle infielder for us, either at shortstop or second base in the near future.
Chosen as the 2018 NJCAA D-III Player of the Year, Jack Goan joins the Blue Hens after an impressive two seasons for the Roadrunners of Rowan College at Gloucester County. The New Jersey native, hit .486 this season with 30 doubles, 14 homers and 79 RBI. Goan scored 75 runs, leading his team to the NJCAA World Series. His 104 base hits led all of D-III and contributed to Goan earning All-American status.
"Jack comes in as a catcher or a first baseman and is a serious offensive threat at the plate. He has gap-to-gap power and is a quality hitter. He should be able to make an impact for us right away."
Delaware's next addition is in-state product Eugene Holler from Salesianum. A right-handed pitcher, Holler played for head coach Ted Godfrey.
"Geno Holler is a Salesianum product who is another kid who projects to help us out of the bullpen," Sherman said.
A transfer from VCU, Caravel Academy product Tyler Juhl is returning to his home-state. An outfielder, Juhl made 22 appearances for the Rams, stealing a pair of bases. A two-time captain, Juhl hit .360 for Rob and Paul Niggebrugge at Caravel.
"Tyler is another potential impact bat for us that is also strong defensively. He has the potential to play all three outfield spots and will provide us with good depth and versatility. Already spending a year in college baseball, we look forward to watching him develop," coach Sherman said.
Another Caravel Academy product, Brad Kaden joins the Blue Hens this fall. A two-sport athlete for the Buccaneers, Kaden was a 2018 All-Conference selection and earned All-State honorable mention after hitting .381 as a senior. Â In addition to his accomplishments on the diamond, Kaden was a two-year member of the basketball team.
"Brad is a tall, strong kid who is another local product from Caravel. Brad is a right-handed hitter who possesses a power bat."
Caesar Rodney high school product Tommy Pomatto is the next addition to the Blue Hens class. A shortstop and right-handed pitcher, Pomatto was selected to participate in both the 2018 Carpenter Cup and the 2018 Blue-Gold game. An All-Henlopen Conference selection, Pomatto was named to the Rawlings/Perfect Game Preseason All-Region team and was named the Riders Pitcher of the Year in 2018.
"Tommy comes to us from Caesar Rodney and is another quality arm. He's a right-handed pitcher who we think has a bright future for us either as a starting pitcher or a reliever."
A product of Mercer County Community College, CJ Schaible joins the Blue Hens after two seasons under Kevin Kerins at Mercer. The LHP pitched to a perfect 5-0 record this past season, striking out 47 batters. Schaible went 8-1 in two seasons, helping Mercer to an NJCAA National Championship game appearance.
"C.J. is a lefty who is also from Mercer. He is another guy who could serve as a matchup reliever out of the bullpen and a spot starter."
The 16th member of the 2018 class for Delaware is St. Mark's grad Justin Tomovich. While wearing a Spartans uniform, Tomovich pitched to a career record of 13-2 including a 6-0 record in 2015. JT was a 2018 captain for St. Mark's.
"Justin is another kid from St Marks who has a power arm and a lot of upside. He's a bit younger being a high school kid so we'll see how he develops. There are a few mechanical and fundamental adjustments JT will need to make, but he has a great arm and could be a key contributor for us," Sherman added.
Delaware's 17th and final newcomer is Junior College transfer Derek Wakeley, who comes to Newark from Rowan College at Gloucester County. Served as a starting pitcher for the 2018 team that earned an at-large bid to the NJCAA World Series, pitching to a record of 6-1. Wakeley pitched to a career mark of 11-3 with 104 strikeouts in 112 career innings.
"Derek excels at throwing strikes. Being an older kid, he really has a great knowledge of how to pitch. We look forward to seeing how he can fit into our team, and how he can help us."
The Blue Hens will look to return to postseason play for the third consecutive season next year and kickoff the 2018-19 season with the Fall World Series.
"When we attacked this class we were looking for help in the starting rotation and the bullpen with the departure of some key guys. We think we added some good arms and a few position players at some key spots that will provide us with good depth and versatility."
